Introducing Stevia rebaudiana, a natural zero-calorie sweetener

Two accessions of Stevia rebaudiana were successfully introduced in the experimental farm at the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur in 2000. Cultivation trial of these accessions was conducted during 2001-03. Overall crop performance was satisfactory for both the accessions and they were least affected by biotic and abiotic factors like high rainfall, frost, and infestation by insects and diseases. Quantitative differences were found in stevioside content of the two accessions, ranging between 6 and 8%. Accession 1 was superior in stevioside content and Accession 2 was superior in leaf biomass. Higher content of stevioside was found in the regenerated crop in January, during the second year of plant growth. With improved management practices, there is further scope for improvement in stevioside content. A laboratory-scale process was developed for the extraction of stevioside up to 63% purity. Although the crop is self-incompatible in its breeding behaviour, the prevalence of two diverse accessions has facilitated seed production under Palampur conditions. This has triggered the production of plant material for its introduction amongst interested growers in large numbers. The present communication outlines the growing pattern and stevioside yield from the North Indian region. Three cuts could be obtained during the two-year growing period of the crop.